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17 July 2011

Five rescued after boat capsizes near Umkomaas

Five people have been rescued after their fishing boat capsized in the surf at Umkomaas on the KZN south coast.

According to the skipper, the boat's motors cut out when they were beyond the back line and the vessel was then capsized by a wave.

Local dive companies who saw the incident raced to help and alerted the authorities.

Netcare911 medics have treated the fishermen for hypothermia, while the boat has been towed back to shore.

This comes as the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) have issued a warning to beach goers about dangerous sea conditions due to a spring tide.

Above: The fishermen are assisted to shore(Photos: Netcare911)

The NSRI's Craig Lambinon says a spring tide lasts for a few days leading up to the full or new moon, and for a few days afterwards.

"We're urging the public to be aware of the spring tide phenomenon, bringing with it a higher than normal high tide, a lower than normal low tide, and the resultant stronger than normal rip currents, which is reason for the public to be cautious," he said.